City Walk plans could require private property

Tuscaloosa officials are preparing four variations of trail’s path

Published: Friday, February 15, 2013 at 3:30 a.m.

Last Modified: Thursday, February 14, 2013 at 11:34 p.m.

TUSCALOOSA | City officials are preparing four variations of the City Walk recreational trail for public review.

But one question that remains to be answered is how much — if any — private property will be needed to complete the multi-use path.

“We’re going to work as hard as we can to minimize that, and in many cases the required right-of-way will be used for landscaping,” said Robin Edgeworth, director of recovery operations for the city of Tuscaloosa. “But we’ve also tried as hard as we can to stay as close to what the people said they wanted as outlined in the Generational Master Plan.”

She’s referring to the Tuscaloosa Forward Generational Master Plan, which was unanimously approved by the City Council on Feb. 28, 2012.

The Generational Master Plan was created as a blueprint for the ideas laid out in the Tuscaloosa Forward Strategic Rebuilding Plan, which was developed from months of planning and community involvement.

A key element of the plans was the City Walk, a meandering recreational trail that stretches the entire length of the 5.9-mile path of the tornado that tore through Tuscaloosa on April 27, 2011.

The path of the City Walk has shifted slightly over time, and now Edgeworth said the only areas where private property may be needed are those lots on the western sides of First and Lake avenues in the Forest Lake neighborhood.

In these areas, the Tuscaloosa Forward Generational Master Plan calls for a shared use path 52 feet to the west of the center line of the street.

Right now, the city has access to 37 feet of public right of way on First and Lake avenues, meaning an additional 15 feet may be needed.

The need for additional land came as news to at least one homeowner who potentially could be affected.

Many of the 16 houses along these two streets appear to be renter-occupied — if occupied at all — but Mamie Jones is sharing a house on First Avenue that is being purchased by her boyfriend, Jason Hebert.

Jones, 21, said that she had not been made aware of the city’s potential plans for the wide, spacious yard in front of the house.

And she said the idea that some of it could be unavailable for use by her and Hebert’s dog and 1-year-old daughter, Ellie, was cause for concern.

“Especially if it’s going to affect our property,” she said. “I don’t like having to give up our yard.”

Should the full 15 feet be taken, Ellie will still have room to run around and play.

But she fears that her dog, whom she described as “protective” around strangers, could become the source of complaints if his barking scares the trail’s users.

Whether their yard will come into play remains to be seen, as Edgeworth said four variations of the trail are still being developed even as elements of the City Walk already are taking shape.

Perhaps the most visible component of the trail, as of now, is the part that will go on land adjacent to the Central Church of Christ at the intersection of First Avenue and Hargrove Road.

However, because money from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development is being used for portions of the trail, city officials are required to develop multiple plans for the public to review and approve.

Once complete in an estimated six to eight weeks, the different plans will be displayed during scheduled public meetings designed for residents to offer their input.

Edgeworth said that each will remain faithful to the path approved in the Generational Master Plan, but each will contain subtle changes for residents to consider.

“These plans vary in scope, with some being very similar to the Tuscaloosa Forward Generational Plan and others that minimize the impact to private property,” Edgeworth said. “As we move through this planning process, we encourage citizens to continue to provide us feedback.

“We look forward to holding these public meetings ... and encourage everyone to come and be a part of this important step of the recovery process.”

<p>TUSCALOOSA | City officials are preparing four variations of the City Walk recreational trail for public review.</p><p>But one question that remains to be answered is how much — if any — private property will be needed to complete the multi-use path.</p><p>“We're going to work as hard as we can to minimize that, and in many cases the required right-of-way will be used for landscaping,” said Robin Edgeworth, director of recovery operations for the city of Tuscaloosa. “But we've also tried as hard as we can to stay as close to what the people said they wanted as outlined in the Generational Master Plan.”</p><p>She's referring to the Tuscaloosa Forward Generational Master Plan, which was unanimously approved by the City Council on Feb. 28, 2012.</p><p>The Generational Master Plan was created as a blueprint for the ideas laid out in the Tuscaloosa Forward Strategic Rebuilding Plan, which was developed from months of planning and community involvement.</p><p>A key element of the plans was the City Walk, a meandering recreational trail that stretches the entire length of the 5.9-mile path of the tornado that tore through Tuscaloosa on April 27, 2011.</p><p>The path of the City Walk has shifted slightly over time, and now Edgeworth said the only areas where private property may be needed are those lots on the western sides of First and Lake avenues in the Forest Lake neighborhood.</p><p>In these areas, the Tuscaloosa Forward Generational Master Plan calls for a shared use path 52 feet to the west of the center line of the street.</p><p>Right now, the city has access to 37 feet of public right of way on First and Lake avenues, meaning an additional 15 feet may be needed.</p><p>The need for additional land came as news to at least one homeowner who potentially could be affected.</p><p>Many of the 16 houses along these two streets appear to be renter-occupied — if occupied at all — but Mamie Jones is sharing a house on First Avenue that is being purchased by her boyfriend, Jason Hebert.</p><p>Jones, 21, said that she had not been made aware of the city's potential plans for the wide, spacious yard in front of the house.</p><p>And she said the idea that some of it could be unavailable for use by her and Hebert's dog and 1-year-old daughter, Ellie, was cause for concern.</p><p>“Especially if it's going to affect our property,” she said. “I don't like having to give up our yard.”</p><p>Should the full 15 feet be taken, Ellie will still have room to run around and play.</p><p>But she fears that her dog, whom she described as “protective” around strangers, could become the source of complaints if his barking scares the trail's users.</p><p>Whether their yard will come into play remains to be seen, as Edgeworth said four variations of the trail are still being developed even as elements of the City Walk already are taking shape. </p><p>Perhaps the most visible component of the trail, as of now, is the part that will go on land adjacent to the Central Church of Christ at the intersection of First Avenue and Hargrove Road. </p><p>However, because money from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development is being used for portions of the trail, city officials are required to develop multiple plans for the public to review and approve.</p><p>Once complete in an estimated six to eight weeks, the different plans will be displayed during scheduled public meetings designed for residents to offer their input.</p><p>Edgeworth said that each will remain faithful to the path approved in the Generational Master Plan, but each will contain subtle changes for residents to consider.</p><p>“These plans vary in scope, with some being very similar to the Tuscaloosa Forward Generational Plan and others that minimize the impact to private property,” Edgeworth said. “As we move through this planning process, we encourage citizens to continue to provide us feedback.</p><p>“We look forward to holding these public meetings ... and encourage everyone to come and be a part of this important step of the recovery process.”</p><p>Reach Jason Morton at jason.morton@tuscaloosanews.com or 205-722-0200.</p>